Breaking The Ice		page contents What How Go On
What Is It Good For?		This tool helps build working relationships and focus on solving the problem. When you are just starting a study process or when tension in meetings between people or factions is evident, breaking the ice may get the process on track. Short team building exercises can help build an atmosphere of open communication. If participants can see people with opposing viewpoints as people, then they may be able to compromise and build consent. These types of exercises tend to uncover buried issues as well as put the project and tensions into perspective.
How Do I Use It? Not everyone knows, but everyone assumes everyone else knows. Share your perspectives around the table. Ask participants to briefly recount their understanding of the issue.		Use exercises or round-table introductions to allow people to get to know each other. Be creative. Bring in toys (slinkies, tops, water pistols). Create a humorous logo or name for the group. Ask everyone to imagine the worst possible result and list the negative consequences they want to avoid. This can provide some common ground and be the foundation of working together to find a solution.
Go On		Toolbox Tool Selection Worksheet Tool List